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Biotech-Pharmaceutical Alliances as a Signal of Asset and Firm Quality

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  • Sean Nicholson

    (The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania)

Abstract

We examine the determinants of biotech-pharmaceutical alliance prices to determine whether the market for alliances is characterized by asymmetric information. We find that inexperienced biotech companies receive substantially discounted payments when forming their first alliance. A jointly developed drug is more likely to advance in clinical trials than a drug developed by a single company, so the first-deal discount is not consistent with the drug's subsequent performance. Biotech companies receive substantially higher valuations from venture capitalists and the public equity market after forming their first alliance, which implies that alliances send a positive signal to prospective investors.

Suggested Citation

  • Sean Nicholson, 2005. "Biotech-Pharmaceutical Alliances as a Signal of Asset and Firm Quality," The Journal of Business, University of Chicago Press, vol. 78(4), pages 1433-1464, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jnlbus:v:78:y:2005:i:4:p:1433-1464
    DOI: 10.1086/430865
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • L24 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Contracting Out; Joint Ventures

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